So we thought the investment was a timely opportunity to dust down these archive photos of the street.

5. Sign of the times
Volunteer Jon Wales in the store room at Hartlepool Food Bank after it opened its Church Street premises in 2012. It now helps around 150 people a week with donations. Photo: TY

6. Shop scene
Birks staff pictured in an undated photo from its Church Street store near the railway station. Photo: National World

7. Crown jewel
A presentation of a framed photograph inside The Athenaeum Club - one of the undoubted jewels in Church Street's crown - in 2005. Photo: LH

8. Bird's eye view
An aerial view of Christ Church and Church Street taken in 1924. Photo: National World
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